Tips for Great Sewing Projects

Sewing expert Sandra Betzina has spent many years teaching and sewing with a passion. In this regular column, Sandra shares her tips for hassle-free sewing.

Sewing Solutionsfrom Sandra Betzina

Sewing your own garments lets you create a wardrobe that reflects your personal style. But those garments should not look homemade. Use these tips to ensure your wardrobe is both stylish and well made.

Wish List At the end of every season, make a list of items you wish you'd owned at the beginning of the season, such as a white shirt, white or black linen pants, lightweight warm sweater and three-ply black silk pants. Post the list in your sewing room. When you want to sew but lack inspiration, start on the items from the list.

This is a Test Some patterns are simply "dogs": pieces don't fit together, the finished garment doesn't remotely resemble the pattern picture or the garment isn't flattering. Experienced sewers say that one out of two things they make are dogs. Pre-sew patterns in muslin to avoid wasting beautiful fabric.

A Stitch in Time If your sewing time is limited, you actually save time by testing the pattern. Think about how much time you spend ripping out side seams because the high hip is too tight, taking out sleeves because the shoulders are too broad, or moving down darts because the placement is for 16-year-olds. Try my fast-and-dirty pretest technique; it takes 45 minutes tops. Fold up the hem allowance on the front, back and sleeve pattern pieces. From an old sheet or muslin, cut out only the main pattern pieces: two fronts, complete back and one sleeve. Don't cut out any facings, collars or pockets. Before removing the pattern from the fabric, use a fat felt-tip marker to mark the center front, buttonholes and pocket placements on the fabric right side. Mark any darts, pleats, dots and notches on the fabric wrong side. Mark front and back pieces with a giant F or B. Mark the dot on the sleeve upper edge and the underarm dot for a two-piece sleeve as well as the notches. Be bold with the markings, it makes it more fun. Sew the pretest garment together with contrasting basting thread. Try it on. Pin the garment together at the center front lines. Slip in shoulder pads if the pattern calls for them. Refine the fit. Check the button and pocket placements as well as garment and sleeve length. Adjust the pattern accordingly.

Pick & Choose Don't try to make every garment in your wardrobe. For starters you don't have time and secondly, pairing a well-made jacket and pair of pants with a purchased sweater looks more off the rack than if you made all three pieces.

Long & Short of It To maintain the integrity of a style, shorten or lengthen the pattern before you cut it out of fabric. This eliminates chopping off extra length from the hemline, which compromises the style. Look to your own wardrobe for flattering lengths for pants, skirts and jackets. Compare these le...